Trial Set for Man Accused of Killing Sandra Rosas

WEST COVINA —  A trial date was set Thursday for Gabriel Gomez, 39, who could face the death penalty for charges of kidnapping and murdering his half-sister Sandra Rosas, the wife of Los Lobos guitarist Cesar Rosas.

Gomez will go on trial Feb. 10. During his preliminary hearing Thursday, he sat motionless as attorneys and prosecution witnesses sketched out details of the case that started the night of Oct. 23, when Rosas disappeared from her Rowland Heights home.

Police have yet to find her body.

They arrested Gomez inside a Whittier bar the day after Rosas disappeared. The next day, police found Rosas’ van abandoned in La Puente. On Thursday experts testified that they found bloodstains linked to both Gomez and Rosas inside the vehicle.

Los Angeles County sheriff’s homicide Det. Boyd Zumwalt testified Thursday that Gomez had been trying to repair a strain in his relationship with Rosas, who had grown tired of supporting her half-brother financially and emotionally.

Zumwalt said Rosas’ daughter, Amber Stelges, overheard threats when she called her mother’s cell phone on the day of her appearance. Although nobody responded, the officer said, Stelges overheard Gomez threatening rape and murder.

“You can never leave me,” Gomez allegedly was heard to say. “I’m going to make mad, passionate love to you. . . . I’m going to strangle you.”

Bernard St. John, Gomez’s county-appointed attorney, maintained his client’s innocence. The defense is expected to advance a theory that Rosas was killed by an estranged lover.

Los Angeles County prosecutor Donald Clem said his office has yet to decide whether to pursue the death penalty.